The saying also applies to poo. This might not be a post to read over your breakfast. On the edge of the villages that we’re walking through there are often big mounds of dried pine needles, like the pile behind the two horses. These provide an insulating and soft bedding for the animals. When the […]
“For men it takes about three hours to burn and for women it takes four hours. Do you know why?” asks our friendly guide. We hazard a guess that women have more flab. We’re not far from the truth. Pashupatinath temple is the one of most important Shiva Hindu temples in the world, but the […]
It is a place for everyone, even trekkers who need shelter from the elements. This link takes you a photograph taken in 1972 by someone who took shelter overnight inside the gompa; sleeping on the wooden floor and with a wood fire for warmth. Another, more practical answer, is that it is a Buddhist monastery […]
Can you spare £6? The price of a bottle of wine? We’re asking 2666 people to give just £6 to help repair this 600 year-old monastery in Nepal. Please help us if you are able to. We need your help to raise £16,000 in 60 days to save the Langtang monastery in this remote Himalayan […]
That was my photograph on the home page, small, but it was definitely mine. It was 6:15, I was awake and struggling to breathe. I’d had a similar experience a couple of weeks ago, but that was from lack of oxygen at altitude. Today, I just had a cough and very block-up nose. Not wanting […]
You never know what a chance encounter in a bar may bring. Jim was chatting to a Australian girl, Sheng Fe (I hope if I’ve spelt that correctly), when I sat down and joined them. ‘I bought this today,’ she said holding up a beautifully woven bag. ‘It was only 600 rupees and all the […]
I had hoped to put the following up as as audio post, but technology has let me down… Monday 18th March We seem to be following snow and power cuts – not necessarily together. The lights went out in Manang last night, not long after we got back from the ‘cinema’, and they are still […]
Thursday 14th March ‘You should get three,’ said Jim, as he pointed out that there were sticks for sale. We’d stopped at a stall outside a man’s house where he was selling trinkets, artefacts and other handmade bits and pieces. I was very tempted by a cow/donkey bell (they make such a pure and clear […]
13th March “People here are still a little scared of bird flu,” said Dil. We are talking about which animals are used for meat and which are used for other products. As I said in the audio post, I hope you could hear it, we are staying amongst chickens, goats, cows and donkeys. The chickens […]
Sunday 10th March ‘Ah, Mother’s Day!’ said Dil. I’d been trying to explain Mother’s Day to Dil, and that it is celebrated in the UK today. The problem was, I hadn’t actually used the words ‘Mother’s Day’. It turns out that Dil’s family, who I think are Hindu, but also observe Buddhist practices, celebrate Mother’s […]
Suzi Richer 